Trish McEvoy’s 5 Steps to Total Skin Fitness

The daily skincare routine. When you’re rushing from here to there, juggling life’s demands and falling into bed exhausted at night, it’s easy to shrug it off as a theoretically smart but non-essential luxury. After all, you did remember to brush your teeth. But we’re here to caution you from cutting too many corners. Someone in the skincare industry once quipped that you might have a handbag for 10 years, but you’ll always have your face. While we love handbags to no end, it’s a wise adage that underscores the worth of any skincare investment you can afford. Minutes a day now can add years to your skin’s health down the road.

So what’s it take? To get a professional opinion on how to really nail your daily skincare routine, we consulted with one of the industry’s top makeup artists and skin gurus, Trish McEvoy. Not only is Trish the founder of her own beauty line, she and her dermatologist husband, Ronald Sherman, opened The Dr. Ronald Sherman/Trish McEvoy Skin Care Center in New York together in 1978—and have pioneered a vast amount of medi-spa cosmeceutical science since then.

Trish talks about skin care in terms of ‘fitness’. Skin fitness, like that workout routine you may or may not have time for, simply translates into an effective daily regimen. But instead of cardio and weights, it’s a synergistic five-step routine anyone at any age can adopt for healthier, more radiant skin. Ahead, Trish talks us through the five essential steps of daily skin care, plus answers a few lingering questions we had on the topic.

1. Cleanse

Trish: Cleansing is the first step to healthy skin. The cleanser you choose depends on the texture of your skin and how you like your skin to feel. I recommend one of three options: Gentle Cleansing Wash, Beauty Booster Rinsable Cleansing Balm, or Instant Solutions Micellar Cleansing Water. Gentle Cleansing Wash is for all skin types and is perfect for the person who loves fresh-feeling skin. It is a two-in-one eye and facial cleanser that’s going to remove all your makeup and pore-clogging oils. The Rinsable Cleansing Balm is a three-in-one balm that is perfect for the person who loves a moisturized feel after cleansing their face. This balm is emulsified by water into a milky texture and will take off even waterproof makeup formulas. My Micellar Cleansing Water is a rinse-free option, instantly lifting away all makeup and debris with just a gentle sweep. You need never to sleep in your makeup again!

2. Exfoliate

Trish: Exfoliation is the second step and the difference between dull and radiant skin. It allows your skincare products to better absorb. Do you have clogged pores? Exfoliation is also going to lessen that. Suffer from breakouts? Exfoliating will help control outbreaks and speed clear-ups. Last but not least, keeping skin clear of dead cell snags will allow makeup to apply smoothly and evenly. We have a two-part exfoliation system: our Beta Hydroxy Pads Daily Exfoliator and Correct and Brighten Professional-Strength Weekly Peel, a powerful treatment that instantly brightens and progressively reduces the appearance of uneven pigmentation, lines and pores. I like to say Beta Pad every day—and on the seventh Peel.

3. Boost & Hydrate

Trish: Boost and Hydrate is your third step. Proper hydration gives skin a firm, smooth, soft and radiant appearance, locking in moisture for optimally balanced skin that looks and feels its healthy best. With the highest percentage of hyaluronic acid, my serums enhance skin’s capacity for moisture and the performance of products applied over them. The addition of peptides and antioxidants boosts skin’s collagen production and resistance to daily wear-and-tear. Start with Beauty Booster Serum and Beauty Booster Eye Serum, then for maximum moisturize use Beauty Booster Cream on top of your serum.

4. Protect

Trish: In order to protect your skin, use Beauty Booster SPF 30 in the A.M. before your makeup application. It’s going to prime, moisturize and ensure you are safely sunning. Broad-spectrum protection is vital rain or shine, and is skin’s #1 defense against signs of age and the risk of skin cancers. The only true anti-ager, nothing will help you avoid photo-damage and wrinkles more than using sunscreen daily.

Q&A with Trish

Nordstrom: What’s a common skincare myth you’d like to clear up?

Trish: That if you don’t see a difference immediately it’s not working. Similar to physical fitness, you need to give your skincare routine time to improve your skin. Give a new routine two to three weeks of consistent use before making new adjustments.

For exfoliation, what is better—mechanical or chemical?

Both are effective, but in general chemical exfoliants are the most gentle and effective option. They are also ideal for broken-out skin, as you wouldn’t want to scrub breakouts.

Do you have any quick tips for some of the above steps?

Yes! First, when it comes to cleansing, rinsing is very important. I like to say 10 times is the charm! Rinse under the shower or cup your hands under water and submerge your face at least 10 times. You have to get the residue and cleanser off. Second, never exfoliate around the eyes. And third, when using multiple skincare products, always go from thinnest to thickest in texture. For example, use serum, then cream.

How should we modify our skincare routine as we grow older—say, from our 20s into our 30s and then 40s?

Skincare routines can follow the same steps at every age, but while the products can remain unchanged, they will address your changing concerns. In your younger years, breakouts may be your main concern, and during this time exfoliation is imperative for clogged pores. But as you age, your cell turn over slows down, which gives your skin an appearance that’s less smooth and bright. Exfoliation is also imperative to address this concern.